Pranav S. Shrivastav

Incurred sample reanalysis (ISR): a decisive tool in bioanalytical research

The AAPS Workshop 2008 on Current Topics in GLP Bioanalysis: Assay Reproducibility for Incurred Samples was the defining moment in establishing incurred sample reanalysis (ISR) as a mandatory exercise in demonstrating assay reproducibility using incurred (study) samples. The importance of ISR can be envisaged from its role in clinical as well as non-clinical studies. Incurred samples can differ significantly in their composition when compared with the calibration standards and quality control samples that are used to validate the developed method. The present article attempts to summarize five troubleshooting cases encountered in the analyses of incurred samples for bioanalytical methods developed in our laboratory for mesalamine, hydrochlorothiazide, clopidogrel, sildenafil and rabeprazole. The issues identified were related to: sample inhomogeneity, sample processing error, impact of buffer pH during sample preparation, instability of metabolite and change in laboratory environment. The steps taken to trace and correct these incidents are discussed with adequate data. These examples will further broaden the scope and emphasize the significance of ISR. We believe this investigation will help to develop more reliable and efficient bioanalytical methods.

Application of chelate forming resin Amberlite XAD-2-o-vanillinthiosemicarbazone to the separation and preconcentration of copper(II), zinc(II) and lead(II)

A very stable chelating resin matrix was synthesized by covalently linking o-vanillinthiosemicarbazone (oVTSC) with the benzene ring of the polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin Amberlite XAD-2 through a -NN- group. The resin was used successfully for the separation and preconcentration of copper(II), zinc(II) and lead(II) prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The total sorption capacity of the resin was 850, 1500 and 2000 mug g(-1) of the resin for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II), respectively. For the quantitative sorption and recovery of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II), the optimum pH and eluants were pH 2.5-4.0 and 4 M HCl or 2 M HNO(3) for Cu(II), pH 5.5-6.5 and 1.0-2.0 M HCl for Zn(II) and pH 6.0-7.5 and 3 M HCl or 1 M HNO(3) for Pb(II). Both, the uptake and stripping of these metal ions were fairly rapid, indicating a better accessibility of the chelating sites. The t (1 2 ) values for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were also determined. Limit of tolerance of some electrolytes like NaCl, NaF, NaNO(3), Na(2)SO(4) and Na(3)PO(4) have been reported. The preconcentration factor for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) was 90, 140 and 100 respectively. The method was applied for the determination of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) in the water samples collected from Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad, India.

Polymer supported calix[4]arene-semicarbazone derivative for separation and preconcentration of La(III), Ce(III), Th(IV) and U(VI)

Abstract The new “upper-rim” functionalized 11,23-disemicarbazono-26,28- n -dipropoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene has been synthesized by condensing 11,23-diformyl-26,28- n -dipropoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene with semicarbazide hydrochloride. This calix[4]arene-semicarbazone derivative was then covalently linked with commercially available Merrifield’s peptide resin at the “lower-rim” to obtain polymeric chelating resin and its analytical properties were investigated. The resin was then used successfully for the separation and preconcentration of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) prior to their determination by spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The resin exhibits good separating ability with maximum sorption between pH 2.5–4.5 for Th(IV) and between pH 5.5–7.0 for U(VI) whereas La(III) and Ce(III) were found to have maximum sorption between pH 6.5–8.5. The elution studies were carried out with 0.01 M HCl for La(III) and Ce(III), 2.0 M HCl for Th(IV) and 0.25 M HCl for U(VI). The preconcentration factors for La(III), Ce(III), Th(IV) and U(VI) were 125, 130, 102 and 108, respectively. The resin shows good stability along with faster rate of equilibrium for all the metal ions. The influence of several ions (cations and anions) on the resin performance is also discussed. The relative standard deviation was between 96 and 98% with good analytical reliability. The proposed method was applied for the determination of metal ions in monazite sand and some standard geological materials.

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of antidiabetic drugs metformin and glyburide in human plasma.

A simple and rapid liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of antidiabetic drugs metformin and glyburide in human plasma using glimepiride as internal standard (IS). After acidic acetonitrile-induced protein precipitation of the plasma samples, metformin, glyburide and IS were chromatographed on reverse phase C18 (50 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm) analytical column. Quantitation was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization technique and operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and positive ion mode. The total chromatographic run time was 3.5 min and calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 20-2500 ng/ml for metformin and 5-500 ng/ml for glyburide. The method was validated for selectivity, sensitivity, recovery, linearity, accuracy and precision, dilution integrity and stability studies. The recoveries obtained for the analytes and IS (>or=69%) were consistent and reproducible. Inter-batch and intra-batch coefficient of variation across four validation runs (LLOQ, LQC, MQC and HQC) was less than 8%. The accuracy determined at these levels was within +/-8% in terms of relative error (RE). The method was applied to a bioequivalence study of 500 mg metformin and 5mg of glyburide tablet after oral administration to 28 healthy human subjects under condition of fasting.

Isolation, characterization and antioxidative effect of phyllanthin against CCl4-induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line

The present study was an attempt to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidative property of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) extract and phyllanthin. Phyllanthin, one of the active lignin present in this plant species was isolated from the aerial parts, by silica gel column chromatography employing gradient elution with hexane-ethyl acetate solvent mixture. It was obtained in high yields (1.23%), compared to reported procedures and the purity was ascertained by HPTLC and reversed-phase HPLC analysis. Characterization of phyllanthin was done by mp, UV-Visible spectrophotometry, elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis. Free radical scavenging activity of P. amarus extract and phyllanthin was also examined using DPPH assay. The protective effect of P. amarus extract and phyllanthin was studied on CCl4-induced toxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. The results indicated that CCl4 treatment caused a significant decrease in cell viability. In addition, the toxin treatment initiated lipid peroxidation (LPO), caused leakage of enzymes like alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels. It was observed that phyllanthin effectively alleviated the changes induced by CCl4 in a concentration-dependent manner, with much smaller strengths as compared to P. amarus extract.

Solvent extraction, separation of uranium (VI) with crown ether

A solvent extraction separation of uranium with a new crown hydroxamic acid 5, 14-N, N′-hydroxyphenyl-4, 15-dioxo-1,5,14,18-tetraaza hexacosane (NHDTAHA) in the presence of cerium, thorium and lanthanides is described. The uranium is extracted with chloroform solution of NHDTAHA and the extract is directly used for GS-AAS measurements. The detection limit is 0.01 ppm with a sensitivity of 20 ng/0.005 absorbance of uranium. The extraction constants of uranium crown hydroxamic acid complexes are determined. The selectivity factors (Kuranyl/Kn+M) for uranium crown hyrdoxamate evaluated by comparing the Kuranyl with the stability constants for competing metal cations (Kn+M) and anions (KnA−) and were found to be remarkably large. Uranium is preconcentrated and also determined spectrophotometrically. The molar absorptivity is 1.0×104 l−1 mol−1 per cm at 390 nm and system obeys Beer’s law in the range 2.0–30 ppm of uranium. Uranium has been determined in standard and environmental samples.

An accurate, rapid and sensitive determination of tramadol and its active metabolite O-desmethyltramadol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS.

A rapid, sensitive and accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for the simultaneous determination of tramadol and its active metabolite, O-desmethyltramadol in human plasma is developed using propranolol as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were extracted from 200 microL aliquots of human plasma via protein precipitation using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a run time of 2.0 min on an Aquasil C18 (100mm x 2.1mm, 5microm) column under isocratic conditions. Detection of analytes and IS was done by tandem mass spectrometry, operating in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode. The method was fully validated for its selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, precision and accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, ion suppression/enhancement, stability and dilution integrity. A linear dynamic range was established from 1.0 to 600.0ng/mL for tramadol and 0.5-300.0ng/mL for O-desmethyltramadol. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of 200mg tramadol tablet formulation in 27 healthy Indian male subjects under fasting condition.

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for the simultaneous determination of venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine in human plasma and its application to a bioequivalence study

A rapid, simple and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for simultaneous determination of venlafaxine (VEN) and its active metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) in human plasma was developed using nadolol as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were extracted from 200 microl aliquots of human plasma via protein precipitation using 0.43% formic acid in acetonitrile and separated on a Hypurity cyano (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column. Quantitation was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization technique, operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and positive ion mode. The precursor to product ion transitions monitored for VEN, ODV and IS were m/z 278.3-->58.1, 264.3-->58.1 and 310.4-->254.1, respectively. The total chromatographic runtime was 3 min with retention time for VEN, ODV and IS at 1.93, 1.50 and 1.29 min, respectively. The method was fully validated for its sensitivity, accuracy and precision, linearity, recovery, matrix effect, dilution integrity and stability studies. The linear dynamic range of 2.0-500 ng/ml was established for both VEN and ODV with mean correlation coefficient (r), 0.9994 and 0.9990, respectively. The intra-batch and inter-batch precision (%CV) in three validation batches across five concentration levels (LLOQ, LQC, MQC, HQC and ULOQ) was less than 12.6% for both the analytes. The accuracy determined at these levels was within -9.8 to +3.9% in terms of %bias. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of 150 mg venlafaxine extended release capsule formulation in 22 healthy Indian male subjects under fed condition.

Stability evaluation and sensitive determination of antiviral drug, valacyclovir and its metabolite acyclovir in human plasma by a rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method

A simple, sensitive and high throughput liquid chromatography/positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of valacyclovir and acyclovir in human plasma using fluconazole as internal standard (IS). The method involved solid phase extraction of the analytes and IS from 0.5 mL human plasma with no reconstitution and drying steps (direct injection of eluate). The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini C18 analytical column using isocratic mobile phase, consisting of 0.1% formic acid and methanol (30:70 v/v), at a flow-rate of 0.8 mL/min. The precursor-->product ion transition for valacyclovir (m/z 325.2-->152.2), acyclovir (m/z 226.2-->152.2) and IS (m/z 307.1-->220.3) were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was validated over the concentration range 5.0-1075 ng/mL and 47.6-10225 ng/mL for valacyclovir and acyclovir respectively. The mean recovery of valacyclovir (92.2%), acyclovir (84.2%) and IS (103.7%) from spiked plasma samples was consistent and reproducible. The bench top stability of valacyclovir and acyclovir was extensively evaluated in buffered and unbuffered plasma. It was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study in 41 healthy human subjects after oral administration of 1000 mg valacyclovir tablet formulation under fasting condition.

High throughput and sensitive determination of trazodone and its primary metabolite, m-chlorophenylpiperazine, in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A precise, sensitive and high throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of trazodone (TRZ) and its primary metabolite, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), in human plasma was developed and validated. The analytes and the internal standard-nefazodone were extracted from 500 microL aliquots of human plasma via liquid-liquid extraction in n-hexane. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a run time of 2.5 min on a Betabasic cyano column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 5 microm) under isocratic conditions. Detection of analytes and IS was done by tandem mass spectrometry, operating in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode. The protonated precursor to product ion transitions monitored for TRZ, mCPP and IS were m/z 372.2-->176.2, 197.2-->118.1 and 470.5-->274.6 respectively. The method was fully validated for its sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and precision, matrix effect, stability study and dilution integrity. A linear dynamic range of 10.0-3000.0 ng/mL for TRZ and 0.2-60.0 ng/mL for mCPP was evaluated with mean correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9986 and 0.9990 respectively. The intra-batch and inter-batch precision (%CV) across five validation runs (LLOQ, lower limit of quantitation; LQC, low quality control; MQC, middle quality control; HQC, high quality control and ULOQ, upper limit of quantitation) was < or =8.4% for both the analytes. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of 100mg trazodone tablet formulation in 36 healthy Indian male subjects under fasting and fed conditions.